A barber has been left “devastated” after the front of his new shop was destroyed last night – just days before it was set to open.

Berkan Yakit was due to start trading in Hythe High Street this Friday, but now says he will be forced to delay after “a car drove into the building”.

Mr Yakit, who lives in Ashford, estimates the damage will set him back about £10,000.

“Someone drove into our shop with a car at 12.40am last night,” said Mr Yakit.

“The building structure and shop front are completely destroyed.

“I’m devastated. We were so excited to open and now this has happened.”

The new shop, which is called BestMan Barbers, is set to be Mr Yakit’s first business and he is hopeful he can still get it ready to open in the coming weeks.

It would be the fourth barber shop in the high street, which is also home to seven hairdressers.

Police attended the scene at 9.20am today and have been carrying out inquiries throughout the day.

Despite the “huge setback”, Mr Yakit remains determined to make his new shop a success and says this will only “push us on more”.

He added: “We were planning to open on Friday but now we are going to have to delay this.

“Nothing will stop us. We will still get this shop open and it's going to push us on more.

“I’m hoping we will only have to delay the opening by another week.

“I hope the people of Hythe will support us when we open and I would like to thank everyone for their kind words today and we look forward to seeing everyone soon.”

Police have been contacted for further information.